Arantes (18-8-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) attempted a buzzer-beater submission attempt, but ran out of time and dropped a split decision to Perez (17-6 MMA, 7-2 UFC), whose wrestling work paid dividends on two of three scorecards.

The bantamweight bout closed out the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 98 event at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. It aired on FS1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FS1.

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Perez, a native of Mexico, earned two scores of 29-28 while one judge dissented for Arantes. Afterward, Perez revealed he suffered a knee injury in the first round, which just happened to be when Arantes cranked a heel hook that had him grimacing.

Perez powered out of danger and avoided another couple of submission attempts as Arante scrambled, using an armbar attempt to take top position and finish the opening round strong.

When the middle frame commenced, however, it was clear Perez had no stability from his knee; as he spun for a backfist, his leg gave out. Thankfully for him, Arantes was a little too liberal with a leg kick and allowed him to get a takedown. A subsequent mount had Arantes scrambling before he was able to explode and take back control. But as before, Perez was able to reverse and close out the round with ground and pound.

Arantes had one last chance to capitalize on his advantage. But again, he got too excited and gave up a takedown trying to answer a spinning backfist with one of his own. Perez couldn’t keep him down, and again spilled to the mat as his leg gave out. Arantes leapt on top and quickly transitioned to a head and arm choke. The position was not enough to earn a tap, however.

Perez has now won two straight in the UFC, while Arantes suffers his first loss since dropping to the bantamweight division.